The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has signed a $30 million development loan agreement with the Republic of Tajikistan to finance the Kulob Ring Road Project, aimed at boosting regional connectivity and improving transport infrastructure.
The Kulob Ring Road Project will involve the construction of a road including two major bridges. The infrastructure is expected to enhance traffic efficiency and road safety while facilitating international trade and transit. The agreement was signed by SFD CEO Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al Marshad and Tajikistan’s Minister of Finance, Faiziddin Qahhorzoda.
The Kulob Ring Road Project will link Central Asian countries to China and the Indian Ocean region, providing a vital land transport corridor. It is anticipated to support the safe movement of goods and vehicles, contributing to socio-economic growth in the region.
In a related event, SFD CEO Al Marshad and Tajikistan’s Deputy Finance Minister Yusuf Majidi attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a new secondary school in Danghara District. The school is part of Phase V of a larger initiative funded by the SFD to construct and equip secondary schools across the country.
Phase V of the project is supported with $20 million in SFD financing and includes the construction of 11 new schools. In the earlier four phases, the SFD funded the construction of 57 schools nationwide, with a total contribution of $75 million. The overall initiative aims to improve access to quality education and support human capital development in Tajikistan.
Since commencing operations in Tajikistan in 2002, the Saudi Fund for Development has provided concessional loans exceeding $323 million for 14 development projects and programs. These projects span key sectors, including infrastructure, education, and public services, contributing to improving living standards and supporting the country’s development goals.
The agreements reflect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment to international development cooperation and its efforts to foster long-term economic partnerships with Central Asian countries through strategic investments in critical infrastructure and human development.
